Report: Colts to Hire Jim Bob Cooter as New Offensive Coordinator
The Indianapolis Colts made their first big decision of the offseason last week by hiring former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their next head coach.
The Colts introduced Steichen to the fan base last Tuesday as the 37-year-old head coach sold his vision for the team. To implement that vision, Steichen now sets his sights on building a coaching staff that will help him accomplish what he wants to do. He is wasting no time in beginning that process.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Colts are expected to hire Jacksonville Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as their next offensive coordinator. The Colts conducted interviews with Cooter and Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin over the weekend for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Cooter has been the passing game coordinator for the Jaguars for just one season, working alongside head coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022. The Jaguars ranked tenth in total yards (357.4/gm), passing yards (232.9/gm), and scoring (23.8 pts/gm) last season with Cooter on staff. Before that, Cooter was a coaching consultant for the Eagles in 2021, where he crossed paths with Steichen.
Altogether, Cooter has 13 years of NFL coaching experience. He got his start in coaching right here in Indianapolis as an offensive assistant. Cooter served in that role with the Colts from 2009-2011 under then-head coach Jim Caldwell.
When Caldwell was fired following the 2011 season, Cooter bounced around the league as he spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions. Cooter found success with the Lions as he was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in 2016.
Cooter helped coach quarterback Matthew Stafford to some of his best years as offensive coordinator of the Lions. During the three years Cooter was OC, Stafford ranked in the top ten in the NFL in completion percentage (64.9%), passing yards (21,069), and passing touchdowns (128). The Lions made the playoffs twice in three years with Cooter in charge of the offense.
Because the Jaguars are in the same division as the Colts, there were questions about whether or not the Jaguars would block the interview request. Due to NFL rules, a club cannot block a coach from interviewing with another team if the position they are interviewing for is a promotion. The rule allowed the Colts to interview Cooter and ultimately offer him the job.
With the Colts expected to take a rookie quarterback within the top four of the 2023 NFL Draft, Cooter will hold a major role in helping develop the young signal caller. Steichen and Cooter will work hand-in-hand to create an offense tailored to the rookie's strengths while also getting the best out of the playmakers the Colts have. With Steichen stating he will call the plays, Cooter's main focus will be on game planning and ensuring the offense is prepared each week.
With Cooter expected to be hired as the offensive coordinator, the Colts could be set at all coordinator positions despite being one of the final teams to name a new head coach. It is expected that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, and other coaches on these units will be retained by Steichen and the Colts. This makes hiring a staff much easier for the Colts when two of the three units already have their coaches in place.
The Colts have reportedly already hired two more assistants on the offensive side of the ball. Former New York Giants running backs coach DeAndre Smith is rumored to be joining the Colts in the same role he held with the Giants. Former Colts' tight end coach Tom Manning, who spent the 2018 season in Indy, is also expected to return on Steichen's staff in the same role.
Indy is working quickly to assemble a coaching staff under Steichen, and the pieces are falling into place. With much work to be done on West 56th Street, the Colts hope to have a full staff before the NFL Scouting Combine starts next week.
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